Tomorrow's History

[equanimiti]

[ Scrawled in fine penmanship is a message written by someone quite adept with the politics of the Ivalice. His choice of language is quite archaic and yet proper at the same time. The writer is clearly someone of high-birth judging from his mastery of language, but certainly sounds very Archadian...]

My return to Ivalice was long overdue. Much has changed since my departure to lands vast and unknown, but my thoughts always lingered here. Though with that stated one must wonder why our realm has changed so drastically.

What is it that lies ahead of us? Ruin and misfortune? Mayhaps it was foolish for me to have left knowing that Ivalice is still in dire need of aid. For too long the deeds of yesteryear has plagued these lands and the Empire's Debt has grown tenfold. Nabradia has yet found solace after years of abandonment, and even Dalmasca has yet to reclaim its former majestic glory.

Why is this? Why has nothing been done to ensure that tomorrow's history will not be marred?

[The message continues for a few more verses before suddenly coming to an abrupt end.

It's almost as if the text is starting to fade...]

Comments

[equanimiti]

[ It takes almost all of Zargabaath's willpower not to break down.

The last few years have been so difficult for him. There's been times that the old Judge Magister swore he would retire just to spare himself the grief. While he had his misgivings about the other Judge Magisters of the Archadian Court, Zargabaath recognized each man and woman for their unique personalities and talents.

He misses them. He misses all of them. The newly appointed Judge Magisters are nothing but cheap marionettes of the colleagues he once knew. ]

You've always been a good man. I know well of your struggles and your sacrifices, and I'm relieved to hear from you again.

[ That wet mark upon the message almost makes Zargabaath tear up. He knows for certain that this is truly Gabranth, and it pains that they're not speaking in person. ]

Distance means nothing as long as we have these grimoires intact.

[strayspride]

[ You've always been a good man. That is a statement that Noah has not held faith in or believed of himself for what must be nearly twenty years now. To know that Zargabaath believes such, truly— it is a near thing, his emotional constraint. The words were intended to be wry, but the feeling behind them as he writes them— awed and humbled, more like. ]

You hold such faith in me.

[ His struggles are not over yet, this he knows from his inability—hay, his unwillingness—to face his inner demons. They way he fled from Basch in their brief meeting, the way he has not sought out Vayne or any of the others he has known, the way he had hesitated over even answering such a call, even though he counts Zargabaath's friendship dear. But he cannot dwell on such things, lest he finds himself too shattered to function. ]

Not all those who have come anew does not trouble you as much, I hope. Even if there is pain, still, in the familiarity of their faces. [ He will not speak much of the grimoires, for he does not wholly trust them, but for a conversation like this, deep feeling behind careful phrases. This he can allow himself, and be ever grateful for it. ] I am resolved, still, to do what aid I can, though my methods have always been... somewhat nontraditional.

[ He almost, almost, laughs as he writes it, a brief near-stutter in his pen. Not all his tricks for the Ninth have bitter memories to them. A certain unfortunately embarrassing accident of a corrupt and stuffy senator at a certain yuletide party, for instance— ]

[equanimiti]

[ Zargabaath's guards cant their heads ever so slightly when they heard a chuckle escape their lord. Despite being moved to near tears, Zargabaath couldn't help but laugh at that last bit. Nontraditional, eh? That's one way to put it, Gabranth. While he honestly cherishes both the bad and the good years they've spent together, Zargabaath cannot help but admit that Gabranth was and is a bit of a wild one. ]

You've always possessed an interesting flair for theatrics, friend. Though, I suppose you had your reasons for them. [ Another chuckle from Zargabaath leaves his guards looking quite puzzled now. They never known their lord to laugh ever. The Judge Magister is known to be rather stoic at times but for the last four years, he's worn a mask cast from grief. It's quite unusual to see such happiness from Zargabaath and it shows in his somewhat erratic penmanship. ]

How boldly you write your advice. Tis as if the roles between us has changed, but I cherish every word dearly. In familiarity breeds contempt, but I hold none for one who strives so hard to become what he is not.

[ He'll have to speak with Basch soon. The two never truly gotten the chance to converse prior to his leave of Archadia. This message reminds him of such. ]